Chapter 1

The seaside town always smelled of salt and iron. Everything here sounded different: the wind whistled through the shipyard, waves crashed against concrete docks, and at dawn, cadets marched through the streets — disciplined from head to toe.

A boy named Jin Tae Kyun was nine then. He sat on the roof of an old hangar, swinging his legs, waiting. From afar came a familiar voice:

“Hey, sea star, get down, we’ve got a mission — code Black Shark!”

It was Kang Min Joon, his friend. Always a little awkward, with a wide smile and a never-ending supply of silly ideas.

“What now?” Tae Kyun asked, without moving.

“We’re heading to the docks! I heard a submarine from the training range is arriving today!”

Tae Kyun silently looked out at the sea. His eyes were quieter than his voice. Since childhood, he had dreamed — not just to watch ships, but to sail on them where the maps end.

Min Joon was already climbing the ladder to pull his friend down from the roof. Within a minute, they were both running through the streets, loudly arguing over who would become captain first.

They ran past Park Hee Joon, a year older, who with his two friends was throwing stones at a rusty barrel.

“There they go again,” Park smirked. “Where are they running? Probably after candy...”

“Better after a dream,” Tae Kyun muttered and ran on without looking back.

The path to the docks was long — through blocks of barracks, fenced zones, and workshops where future ships were born from steel. The air smelled of oil, heated metal, and the sea. Workers in coveralls watched the boys — some with smirks, others with envious longing.

“I heard the submarine will be new — with a black hull, like a shark,” Min Joon said excitedly, bouncing on his toes.

“You believe everything you hear,” Tae Kyun replied, but a smile slipped across his lips.

By the time they reached the pier, the sun was beginning to sink below the horizon. Against the crimson sky, like something from the ocean’s depths, it appeared — smooth, black, silent. The submarine slowly glided to the dock, like a living creature.

Jin Tae Kyun’s eyes lit up. He gripped the railing, holding his breath. His heart pounded like a drum in his chest. He no longer heard Min Joon, no longer felt the wind — only this moment, when a dream was within arm’s reach.

People on the pier hurried, giving orders, throwing mooring lines. Sailors in uniform started to emerge from the hatch. One of them noticed the boys and waved. Min Joon waved back, but Tae Kyun stood as if rooted to the spot.

“I want to be there,” he whispered, as if making a vow.

Min Joon smiled.

“We will. Together.”

To be continued.

Story and Script by Max Vargan.